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Here's the story:
Illustrated Corvette Series No. 79 - 1989 Corvette
"Better Still"
Rumors
were flying around Detroit about a new super-Corvette that Dave
McLellan and his team were working on. But that didn’t mean
that the production Corvette was being ignored. Far from it. The
‘89 Corvette saw a host of interesting upgrades and new
features that made it a solid performer.
The 1989 Corvette was the last of the digital-dash Corvettes and
considered by some to be the best of the “digital”
Corvettes. Except for one new option, all improvements were under the
skin. Sales were up 3,623 units to 26,412 for 1989, and the base price
was up $2,056 to $31,545. The roadster had a $5,240 premium listing for
$36,785. A loaded convertible cost over $43,000.
For roadster buyers who lived in colder areas, there was a new hardtop
option. A hardtop hadn’t been seen on a Corvette since 1975.
Of the 9,749 convertibles ordered in 1989, 1,573 had the ASC-produced
$1,995 option. Weighing only 64 pounds, the urethane and fiberglass top
included heated rear glass and a finished roof liner. The new top could
be used on ‘86 to ‘88 roadsters.
Under the hood, the fuel injection system had improved injector
calibration for better fuel atomization. Horsepower stayed at 245.
The Doug Nash 4+3 transmission was replaced with the all-new ZF
six-speed gearbox. The new unit was fully synchronized and used an
internal rail shift mechanism. Engineers called it the
“tiger-pussycat” because it was docile at low
speeds, yet tough at highway speed. Option FX3, the Selective Ride and
Handling Package, cost $1,695 but gave drivers three distinctive
suspension settings for cushy cruising, or Corvette Challenge
racer-like setting. This was the first mass-produced car to ever offer
this kind of technology.
A much improved anti-theft system initiated a four-minute shutdown of
the fuel pump and started if the standard starting procedure
wasn’t used. It was so effective that insurance companies
actually lowered Corvette rates.
The new $325 Low Tire Pressure Warning option informed the driver of
tire underinflation. Expensive low-profile tires can look normal, yet
be up to 40 percent low.
The’89 Corvette didn’t set any new records, but
small improvements made the car an even better performance value. Car
magazines gushed all over the car, calling it the “best Vette
Yet!” Ah, but they didn’t really know what was
ahead.
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